My boy at 21 Months

And exactly one year ago....

I can't believe that I haven't done any monthly updates since Samuel was 17 months old. I guess we are just having too much fun for me to sit down and blog. BUT..I'm forcing myself to write now because I SO want to remember my sweet boy at this age.

First of all, he thinks he is hilarious and this just makes me laugh! He cracks himself up all of the time and usually I have no clue what he's laughing about but it gets me to laughing too. He is such a fun little kid but getting into more mischief every day! Oh my this boy is wearing me out but I'm loving it all! Here are the main things I hope to remember:

• Samuel is wearing 18-24 month clothing and some 2T. He is in size 4 diaper but the next box I order will be size 5.


• He sleeps pretty solid these days but his wake up time still varies a lot! He goes to bed between 7-7:30 and is up anywhere between 5:30-7:30.
  
  
• He takes a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. It's bliss!
  
  
• Samuel's vocabulary has really taken off in the past month and we are loving it. He says too many things to write down but these are just a few of the things that make us laugh. He says "um" after every question he is asked. I guess he has to think long and hard before he gives an answer. He calls his paci a "beepa" and we finally recognize this now. He has "snack trap" down and demands one after he wakes in the morning. He can say all of his friends names and usually runs to the door when we mention them. Lately, he has been saying "no" and it is really adorable but he says it WAY TOO MUCH!! He definitely has an opinion about everything. When he says yes, it sounds like "dip" and it's a very matter of fact YES!!
• He LOVES anything Santa related..still. He still has to read his Christmastime book everynight before bed and says "HO, HO, HO" when he's ready for it. We go to a kindermusik class every week and they have a big Noah's Ark mural on the wall. He looks at Noah and says "Ho, Ho, Ho"!


• His favorite shows right now are Barney and Bob the Builder.


• He remembers where every construction site in our area of Dallas is! He loves to point out the "didders, canes and dump tucks"...diggers, cranes and dump trucks in case you were wondering.


• He has become very picky about what he eats and it's driving me crazy! He still loves nuggets, mac and cheese, strawberries, bananas, cheese dip and chips, hot dogs, etc. He hates..and I mean hates any veggie. I don't think he has eaten a veggie in 2 weeks even though I offer them every day. He gags when he touches them. Oh dear, drama king?


• Samuel loves "apanes" in the sky and will watch them until they are completely out of sight.
  
  
• He really only likes to play with trucks, cars, construction toys and books..such a boy.



• He loves to give sweet kisses and always makes a "ummmm" sound when leaning in for a kiss or a hug.



• His favorite place to be is still outside. I don't think he feels the cold air either because he could hang out in our back yard all day if I would let him. He just runs up and down the yard singing and talking to himself.



• He totally knows what to do when the camera comes out and we say "fake smile." It started out as a joke because his smiles were always so fake, and now that is the only smile he will do. Although, when is a smile for the camera not fake:))



• He loves to dance to the Black Eyed Peas and can really cut the rug!

I think we are beginning to enter the terrible 2's and I'm a little scared. I think he's going to wear me out pretty much every day but I wouldn't trade it for the world! His personality is so sweet and I just love everything about this little boy. God couldn't have given me a more precious child to love and I feel so blessed to have him. I can't believe that we will be planning his 2nd birthday before long!

Samuel,
Thank you for being everything that we ever could want. You are truly the light of our lives and you make us so happy! Life is so much sweeter with you in it and you put a smile on everyone that sees you. I pray everyday that I can raise you with love and patience and instill in you a great love for the Lord. I pray that you will continue to be healthy and happy. I know you are learning so much everyday and that helps me to be very mindful of what I say and do. I hope that you will always know just how much you are loved!

Let it snow!

Last week, Dallas got hit big with about 6 inches of snow! Now, if you know me well, you know that I don't love snow. I live in Dallas for a reason, people!! However, this was the first snow that Samuel was actually old enough to play in so we bundled up and went out. First let me say that I was not at all prepared to outfit my child in snow gear. Although you can't see in this picture, he has on rain boots and knit mittens because that is all we have! Poor thing..

This is where it all went south, and quick! Samuel face-planted in to the snow and his mittens got wet. Samuel doesn't like his hands to be dirty or wet...so the mittens came off. Surprisingly, his hands were hot the whole time we were outside.

Let me explain this picture. He face-planted again. And instead of being the responsible mommy and swooping him up and out of the cold snow, I sat down and took pictures. I felt horrible but had to! It was just too cute.

He looks asleep in this picture but I promise he was having fun!!

After the freezing snow fest, we came in for a snack and a nap..thank goodness! He was a happy camper. Wouldn't you be if you had goldfish and your favorite Thomas pj's on?

Finally, after a LOOOONNNNGGGG day of being snowed in, daddy came home. So, I had a great idea: daddy and Samuel bundle up and go play, and mommy go upstairs ALONE and take a long shower! Perfect ending to a fun day!

Christmas 2010 (picture overload)

Better late than never! We spent a week in Kansas City with Thad's family for Christmas this year. The trip up was interesting to say the least. 10 hours in the car with a toddler, two dogs and a mound of luggage and presents! Ugh...we were so glad to arrive on the 23rd and relax. We had such a wonderful visit and Samuel had a great time with his cousins.

Here we are on Christmas Eve before church.
Nana and Papa trying to get a picture with crazy one!
After church, we went back to great Papa's house to have dinner and open up some presents. It was wild but a really good time. Samuel got the Little People Farm and he was thrilled!

After great Papa's house, we drove to Dawn and Matt's house to stay the night. Here is the tree after Santa Claus came.

Christmas morning was so great! I got a video of Samuel walking in but it is on my phone. He was so excited to see his Tonka truck and honestly, he would have been just fine if this was the only thing he got.

Here he is looking through his stocking. He was in heaven!

Samuel and daddy opening up the train set from Nana and Papa.

Jackson was the perfect age for Christmas this year. He was adorable!

Samuel was very excited about the kitchen that Claire got. I think I might know what we will get him for his birthday now!

And right on cue, the yawning began around 9am! He was so tired, but unfortunately, Samuel never took a nap on Christmas Day. I guess he was just too excited to sleep. He was, however, sound asleep that night at 6pm!

18 Month Pictures

We had pictures taken when Samuel turned 18 months. Here are some favorites!

Museum of Nature and Science

We visited the Museum of Nature and Science back in early December. It was great, but nature and science really don't amuse this boy yet! They do, however, have an awesome children's museum/play area on the lower level. We had so much fun that we ended up purchasing a membership! They have this fun fire engine, dress up area, water table, tanks with all sorts of snakes, turtles, etc. It is great!

Samuel and Wesley

The two Amigos!

Just having a little water fun!

So cute!!

Playing catch up

Well, it is obvious that my blog has taken a back seat lately to all of the fun December activities we've been enjoying. I've also made it a point to be on my computer/IPhone less so obviously, the blog has suffered. Here is my attempt to catch up!

In early December, we went to see The Trains at Northpark. It is an exhibit that our mall puts on every year and it was awesome! Samuel absolutely loved it! We have already gone back for a second look because he loved it so much!!

Our little friends Reid and Wesley came along too!!